Orlando Magic may have saved Jalen Suggs from himself

Jalen Suggs is constantly trying to find a way. That’s what makes him so lovable. Nothing seems to be able to slow him down.

Everyone understands Suggs’ history as a football player and how tough he is. He got up from hard falls, dusted himself off, and kept walking. Everyone assumes Suggs will always play.

Thursday was different.

About 90 seconds before halftime, Jalen Suggs drove against Luguentz Dort and fell to the ground without contact, grabbing his left ankle. He lost the ball and the Thunder began a quick attack that ended in a foul – another in a long string of turnovers in the second quarter.

However, all eyes were on Suggs. Given all the injuries the Magic have suffered, losing Suggs at this point would be a disaster. That’s what was going through coach Jamahl Mosley’s mind as he watched the developments.

“There were times when he hobbled up the floor, and he’s a tough kid,” Mosley said after Thursday’s game. “He wants to be out there. You can see that. His passion, his energy, his intensity, being on the floor with his guys. The way he moved, I wanted to make that decision and say, let’s do something different.”

The Magic have become accustomed to Suggs quickly getting back on his feet after hard falls and playing through. He is always a source of energy. And his toughness radiates across the entire team.

Suggs remained on the ground for some time before standing up and getting off the ground under his own power. He remained on the bench while Arnie Kander, vice president of player performance and wellness, worked on him.

When he came out to warm up at halftime, Suggs had two giant ice packs wrapped around both ankles. Right on cue, Suggs started the second half.

But this time Suggs didn’t move properly. Mosley understood that. Just over four minutes into the third quarter, Mosley finally pulled him from the game. He wasn’t playing at the pace he was used to.

Mosley said he feels like he needs to protect Suggs long-term, especially given the number of injuries the team has dealt with so far. And Suggs is way too important.

The good news is that Suggs appeared to be fine when he left the arena after Thursday’s game. Josh Robbins of The Athletic reported that Jalen Suggs left the game without walking boots. He told The Athletic that the only question on his mind was how he could continue to help his teammates.

That speaks to Suggs’ way of thinking at all times. It also speaks to why the Magic probably felt they had to hold him back this time and preserve him for battle another day.

Suggs is currently listed as probable on the Magic’s injury report and will hopefully be available for Saturday’s game against the Miami Heat.

Whether the Magic have Suggs or not, they showed in Thursday’s game that they will fight. And the team will rely on that.

“This team won’t stop fighting,” Mosley said after Thursday’s loss. “It’s having the courage to keep going no matter what happens on the pitch. It’s a 48 minute game. There will be ups, downs and runs. But don’t get too high or.” It will be important to achieve two points there and be able to hold on to them.

Anthony Black stepped forward

With Jalen Suggs out in the second half, it was up to Anthony Black to take over more.

Black actually stepped up, scoring 19 of his career-high 23 points in the second half, including 12 in the fourth quarter. He aggressively attacked the basket and gave the Magic the downhill attacker they needed after Suggs was out of the game.

He also took on the responsibility of defending some of the Thunder’s best perimeter players and helped contain Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after his big first half in which he scored 24 of his 35 points. According to NBA.com tracking stats, Gilgeous-Alexander scored just two points and had three turnovers with Black as the opponent.

Black had an inconsistent second season, showing promise in some places and disappearing in others. The hope for the Magic is that Thursday’s game and the potential chance of Suggs being out is a chance for Black to step up.

He did what his teammates had wanted him to do for some time. There is a lot of confidence in what Black can do.

“Just being aggressive. That’s what my teammates say about me and my coaches,” Black said after Thursday’s game. “Of course it’s difficult to lose another player in the middle of the game. I think that was part of it.”

The Magic had to band together and cover for any injuries. This was nothing new for this team. And in the second half they had to rally again.

The hope is that Black can become even stronger as the Magic look to better manage Suggs’ minutes. Orlando needs more players to step in and give Suggs the breather he needs.

For now, Orlando needs to think at least a little bit about the bigger picture with Suggs. There are still many more games to come and the Magic will likely have to be without Paolo Banchero for at least a few more weeks.